Shadowing Practice: How to Make the Creamiest Cheesecake - Learn English Speaking with Video
Creating lesson...
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Whether you believe it's a cake or a tart, it's safe to say that cheesecake is one of our favorite desserts here at Tasty.
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We tested a bunch of different recipes and techniques to find a foolproof, ultra creamy vanilla cheesecake.
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So here's how to make a classic, crack-free cheesecake.
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Every good cheesecake starts with a spring-form pan.
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Reacing the pan with non-stick spray or butter is going to help easy removal and help prevent cracking down the line.
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Adding a band of parchment paper will ensure you've got those smooth, picture-perfect sides when you go to remove the springform.
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The foundation of cheesecake is the crust.
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It only requires three ingredients to make a classic graham cracker crust.
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This is the simplest part of the recipe.
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The combination of sugar and butter helps hold everything together for a really fantastic crust.
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Some people like using other types of cookies, you can easily swap it in right here.
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We're gonna do a bottom crust only.
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Some people like the crust on the sides, it's totally a matter of preference.
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Just use a flat surface to spread the graham cracker mixture into an even layer.
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Now you're gonna bake it for 8-10 minutes until it's golden brown, and just let it cool as you prepare the filling.
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Now it looks like a lot of dairy, but remember, it's a rich, velvety dessert.
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You really need it here.
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We're adding full fat cream cheese here.
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This is not the time to skimp with reduced fat.
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I know it looks like a lot of sugar.
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It is, we tried to reduce it, but you really miss out on some of that classic cheesecake flavor.
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Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before getting started.
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This way, they'll be easier to mix and give you a smooth cheesecake without any lumps.
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We're adding a bit of heavy cream.
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It's a subtle difference, but it's gonna help smooth out the batter.
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It's a personal preference and you can omit it, but we wouldn't.
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I'm adding in sour cream for a bit of added tang, and I'm also going to add some flour, which is gonna help bind the cheesecake together and help prevent cracks.
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To flavor the cake, I'm using whole vanilla bean.
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A really easy way to remove the seeds is by splitting it down the middle lengthwise
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and use the blade of your knife to slowly scrape the seeds out.
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While you can use vanilla extract in a pinch, the intense flavor of a bean is really hard to beat.
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Eggs are crucial in any baked cheesecake.
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They add in creaminess and also help bind the cheesecake together as it bakes.
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Some recipes will call for adding extra egg yolks.
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We found in testing that this makes a denser cheesecake, so for our airy version, we're sticking with whole eggs only.
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So, add in the eggs one at a time.
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If you dump them in all at once, you run the risk of having a really lumpy batter.
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Okay, so this part is crucial.
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As soon as the eggs are incorporated, stop mixing.
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Overmixing can result in a really dense cheesecake.
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You also want to be scraping your bowl down to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.
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From here, it's really easy.
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Just pour the batter onto the cooled crust and smooth out the top.
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If we didn't bake the crust, it would mix in with the batter.
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Who wants that?
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Even cooking and cracking is a huge concern when making cheesecake.
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One of the best ways to prevent that is to use a water bath while baking.
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Even though the pan is sealed, there could be a slight opening where water could get through and give you a soggy crust.
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To prevent any water from seeping in, we're going to wrap our springform in two sheets of foil to really seal it.
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Place the pan in a large, heavy baking dish and fill it with hot water about one inch up the sides of the pan.
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The hot water creates a moist environment in an otherwise dry oven so the cheesecake doesn't split from drying out.
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There are several methods where you can start your cheesecake in a hot oven and then lower the temperature.
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While you do get some lift, you also run the risk of burning or cracking your cheesecake.
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For our recipe, we're going to do a steady, moderate heat all the way through.
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Then, turn the heat off and leave the cheesecake in the oven for another hour to finish baking.
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Allowing the cake to sit in the oven allows it to be fully set in the middle
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and get a little bit of color.
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You can see that the cake that was taken out after an hour isn't fully cooked and looks like a gloopy mess.
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cracks happen.
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There are so many reasons that can cause a crack, such as high temperature, over mixing,
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no water bath, but this doesn't mean that you can't end up with a beautiful delicious cheesecake in the end.
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A great way to cover up a cracked cheesecake is to make a sour cream topping.
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This topping is really simple.
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It's just sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract all mixed together.
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It not only covers up the crack, but it's also really delicious and can be used on and uncracked cheesecakes as well.
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For a sour cream topping, you don't need a water bath.
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Just bake it for 10 to 15 minutes, just so the top is set, and continue the recipe as normal.
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After sitting in the oven for another hour, the cheesecake needs to cool at room temperature.
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Another way to prevent cracks is to gently go around the rim of the cheesecake with a knife.
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At this point, the center of the cheesecake should still have a slight jiggle, just like this.
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Once the cheesecake has cooled, place it in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap to fully set, ideally overnight, but you can still get a really good result in about four hours.
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To remove the cheesecake from the pan, unlatch the side of the springform and carefully lift off the frame.
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Gently peel back the parchment, and you're gonna see those beautiful smooth sides.
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There's such a wide variety of toppings you can add to your cheesecake, but for ours, we're gonna keep it simple with a ton of fresh berries.
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To get the perfect slice, fill a large vessel with hot water.
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Dip your knife into the water, then gently pat it dry before slicing.
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The hot knife will ensure that you get a smooth cut every time.
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We love serving our cheesecake with a berry coulis, which is basically a fancy word for a berry puree that has been cooked down until it's thick.
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It's the perfect complement alongside all those gorgeous fresh berries.
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There's a reason we make so many cheesecakes here at Tasty.
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They're relatively easy, they're great for a crowd, and most importantly, they're downright delicious.
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Using these tips and tricks, you too can make the dreamiest, creamiest cheesecake of your life.
Context & Background
In this informative video, the speaker shares expert techniques for creating a deliciously creamy cheesecake. By testing various recipes, they aim to provide a foolproof method that guarantees success in making a classic dessert. The insights are not only valuable for pastry enthusiasts but also serve as a great example of conversational English in a culinary context, perfect for engaging in english speaking practice about cooking and baking methods.
Top 5 Phrases for Daily Communication
- "Adding a band of parchment paper." - Useful when discussing baking techniques.
- "Just let it cool as you prepare the filling." - A common phrase to indicate multitasking in cooking.
- "Remember, it's a rich, velvety dessert." - Describing food textures is essential in culinary conversations.
- "Even cooking and cracking is a huge concern." - A helpful phrase when discussing baking challenges.
- "To flavor the cake, I'm using whole vanilla bean." - This can help learners talk about ingredient choices more confidently.
Step-by-step Shadowing Guide
Shadowing is an effective way to enhance your improve english pronunciation and fluency. Here’s how to tackle the upcoming video section on making cheesecake through shadowing techniques:
- Listen Carefully: Play the video and listen to how the speaker articulates each step. Pay attention to tone and inflection.
- Pause and Repeat: After each sentence or phrase, pause the video and repeat what was said. Use the phrases mentioned above to practice.
- Focus on Pronunciation: Utilize a shadowing app to record yourself. Compare your pronunciation with the original speaker’s to identify areas for improvement.
- Practice Intonation: Notice the rhythm of the speaker's voice. Try to emulate this when you repeat the phrases, enhancing your natural speech flow.
- Engage in Role Play: Pair up with a friend or practice alone by explaining the cheesecake-making process in your own words. This activity combines learn english with youtube and practical speaking to improve your conversational skills.
By integrating these strategies, you can effectively practice your English speaking skills while exploring engaging topics like cooking, making your learning experience both enjoyable and educational.
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.